Still working...

On getting my birth story from Samirah written up.. It's slow going around here lately with lots and lots going on!!

However- There is another subject that is near and dear to my heart that I'd like to blog about! BREASTFEEDING! WOo! Who else besides me could be so passionate about the subject? It's my dream to become a lactation consultant when I'm done having children and they are all grown.. I will get there one day! Right now my most important place is in the home. But I do everything I can for breastfeeding advocacy. I'm a paid up member of LLL and I attend meetings regularly .. I've found a lot of support there where others have turned me away. Such as my doctors. I really feel the medical community fails us as women in this area.. Not only this area... But especially this area.. (As well as the big to do they make about giving birth which is a natural thing) That's a whole other blog though!!

I currently nurse my 22 month old son and my 1 month old daughter. I fully believe on nursing until 2 years (The WHO's reccomendation) and as long after that as mother and child mutually desire. There are so many health benefits to mother and child why WOULDN'T you nurse?!?!?! Cancer risks reduced in mother and child, fewer ear infections (My first little one just had her first ear infection and she's 4!!) There are so many health benefits the list could go on and on- But you could google that and see over and over again breast is undisputed the best for every baby.

When I got pregnant with Samirah there wasn't a doubt in my mind I'd continue to nurse Sami.. Her pregnancy was my first "surprise" I never got a period back so I assumed my fertility hadn't returned. But 1 month after Sami turned 1 I had feelings that I could be pregnant _ And I was :-D A wonderful surprise- But I was commited to continuing to nurse Sami. For the first 5 months of my pregnancy it was easy and FINE! No problems. Around 6 months I was bigger, more tired, and more sensitive and it got tougher. But I promised myself and him I would carry on.. Now.. IT was at one of my LLL meetings another mother suggested setting boundries when I expressed how exhausted I was and sometimes I just wanted to say NO but felt so guilty. Setting boundries allowed me to continue nursing all the way to delivery day!!

I nursed Sami before I went to the hospital. I was having contractions and I knew that was "it" ..I went to the hospital THursday night after I nursed Sami and put him to bed for the night. Samirah was born Friday morning at 2:15 am. I missed Sami so bad and I felt awful leaving him all day Friday without me. It was the first time we were ever apart. So first thing Saturday morning I asked my midwife to discharge me a day early. I had a completely natural water birth so of course there were no problems with me going home early which was wonderful.

I anticipated seeing Sam the whole drive home! He was waiting at the window for me and I could see his excitement! I walked through the door and we hugged and we were both thinking the same thing "NUR NUR MA!" he said. I said you betcha! We sat right there on the living room floor and nursed!!

Now I have an awesome nursing relationship going on.. It can be tiring at times.. But are my kids worth it?? You bet!!!!

What are YOUR thoughts on the subject of extended and/or tandem nursing?

Making a mental note..

Okay.. A public mental note.. But a mental note none the less.. I've had like 4 different blogs going in my head that I've wanted to write and things have just been craaazy around here!! Not to mention my husband got a few days off of work (which NEVER happens!!) So we've been doing a lot of family activities and such..

Annnnnyways- I really would like to blog about my waterbirth with Samirah. It was such a beautiful experience and I'd love to share the details. More so than I was able to when she was first born and I had rushed it. Sooo this is my mental note to remember to do so! There- hoping to have it up in a day or two! Ill include pictures as well :-)

Just a thought...

Before you name your child, you should probably google the name to be sure your baby won't be sharing it with a pornstar... Just sayin' ...

I Am MOMMY!

Hear me roooooar! ROOOAR!

Mtv's "Teen Mom"

Okay.. That's not a teen mom. That's ME lol. And I've never been a Teen mom.. Not really close either. I was married when I was 20, and we got pregnant with Nadia when I was 21. I delivered her when I was 22. Still considered a "young mom" I suppose. I notice this especially when I am at events for Nadia for dance class or school, I'm generally the youngest Mom. Usually by several years.. So . That being said- What do I know about the subject!?

Maybe not much.. But am I the only one who feels a little sick inside when I watch that MTV show "Teen Mom" If you haven't seen it, I'd suggest checking it out..

I think in a way it's a good show- Maybe it would open some girl's eyes to the reality of pregnancy and motherhood. Especially when your going it alone!

There is Farrah. She's a single Mom.. Who really.. In my opinion just does NOT spend enough time with her daughter. I realize there is editing and maybe it's not what it seems to be- but that's what the show wants you to think. She seems so self centered and nasty. She's downright disrespectful to her mother. I would never dream of speaking to my Mother or Father that way!! Not now, not EVER in my life!! What happened to respecting one's parents?? Is that dead and gone? I sure hope not. At any rate, it seem she has a lot of growing up to do. It's unfortunate she is figuring this out while she is a Mother. At the expense of her child. And I believe she will one day regret passing up so much time with her child to go boy chasing.. When she can appreciate how fast they grow.. *sighs* I feel bad for her and baby..

Maci. My husband and I think she is most mature of the "teen moms" but her boyfriend Dear GOD! What is wrong with this kid!? He just doesn't seem to care. Going off with his friends seem to be his top priority leaving this mother with the baby allllll the TIME! I feel like a father is an important role in a child's life! Hence why I believe in marriage before children essentially. That is the optimal plan in my mind anyways. Your setting your kids up to be in a good family unit! (I know I know not all marriages work out- but that's why we must be more selective in who we're mating with people!!) A good friend of mine always says "Breed Up" I think this applies with most of these mothers.

Catelynn and Tyler. Now these two seem like the most mature out of the bunch. They give thier baby up for adoption (I can't ever imagine!!) Because they know they can't give her all they would like. wow! Can we say selfless! I can't say I'd be as selfless in thier position. Thankfully, I've never been there to find out!!

Amber and Gary... Wow.. What to say about these two! She sits around the house all day (which is an utter DISASTER) and is downright verbally and physically abusive to Gary. Usually in front of the baby! That is terrible on so many levels! For one. I'm a neat freak. So seeing a child living in a house how she kept hers was just shocking and sad to me!!! And the guy comes home and asks what did you do all day. And she starts screaming and yelling like a maniac.. come on here sweetheart! You signed up for this!! Get up and CLEAN a little! I have THREE kids and my house is near immaculate at all times! So don't say it can't be done! As for the way they treat eachother in front of the child- I think anyone could agree that it's a disgrace. I see at the end of this season they have seperated- But then on the finale did I see they got back together? And may even be expecting agan *God Help Us!!!!!* Let's hope for the good of that child... They stay away from eachother. That was just a volitale situation!!!

So.. While I know not everyone may agree with me. I'm a strong advocate for having babies AFTER marriage. Sure. Marriage doesn't make you mature. But it (Generally speaking) means a more stable life for any future children. Not that single parents can't make a stable home for a child, but I think it's easier when you have Mom and Dad at home working together. It's ideal. (IMO) I think especially when your a teenager it's hard to provide stability for yourself, let alone a small human being who depends on you for everything..

Teen pregnancy is becoming so common. I saw on the news that the statistics show the rates rising. Why?? Why don't these young girls want to be kids?? At 13 and 14 I was still playing Barbies! Not thinking about having to be responsible for another LIFE! Geez.

And did you also notice that NONE of these teen mom's breastfed. Which is an important descision in Motherhood. A very responsible one to make in my opinion. And not one of them nursed those little babies. On their 16 & pregnant reunion show they all whined how "hard" it was. Well sister if you think breastfeeding is hard buckle your seatbelt and prepare for the rest of your life being responsible for another person. A lifetime of caring about someone else more than yourself (hopefully) A lifetime of worry, joy, love, and big time responsibility!!

*sighs* am I alone in wanting to go shake some sense into these young girls?!

"I need a break"

So I was reading through posts on cafemom today.. Mainly in my Breastfeeding Group.. And I see yet another "this kid is always attached to me I really want to quit nursing so I can have some time to myself" type of post.. And I just can't answer them.. I don't get it. Am I the only Mom who totally loves having my kids always with me!?!? I mean .. Sami is nearly 2.. And the first time we spent apart is when I was in the hospital giving birth to his sister. I always LOVE using breastfeeding as an excuse to not leave my kids anywhere! It works wonders!! "Sorry.. can't leave them with you- What if they have to nurse?!"

So I'm always taken aback when I read these posts of Mom's who so desprately want to be away from thier babies for a bit or they feel like they will lose thier minds.. I don't know. It makes me kind of sad. I'm a very attached parent. Which doesn't mean my kids don't get on my nerves every now and then. But I feel locking myself in the bathroom for a few minutes does the trick to bring me back down. I hate the idea of them being away from me!!! Nadia, who is 4 sometimes spends a few hours out shopping with my Dad.. Because, you know, me and Daddy aren't as "fun" and I always miss her! I'm like.. Man! I wish Nadia was here with us! It feels totally UNATURAL for me to be seperated for my kids. I swear! Even going in the shower without oNE of them feels totally strange and foreign to me. I don't know if it's the quiet of it.. I don't know..

Maybe I"m the oddball? I just thought it was a natural mothering instinct to constantly want to be near your kids. Hmph. Thank goodness I have an understanding hubby- becase, as you can imagine we haven't been on a date in years. *sighs* he'll get a chance one of these days :-P

Spreading myself thin.

So I still have 3 sick kids on my hands.. As well as being sick myself.. Although the older two are definitely a lot better and on the mend for sure.

You know when your sick.. And you just want your Mom?? Or is that just me? I know when I don't feel good all I can think is.. "I want my Mom" Well. I have 3 sickies who all, like me, want Mom when they don't feel well. So I've been spreading myself kind of thin trying to make sure they are all spoiled and comforted.. Nadia and Samirah co-sleep so they have me all night. In fact I was so bothered by Samirah's cough last night she slept in my arms all night.. Needless to say I didn't sleep much.

I do credit breastfeeding for making this illness less severe in the younger two... Im thankful for that.

Sami and Nadia are back to their old antics. Nadia kicked him twice today. I don't know what has gotten into her! She got sent to her room both times. I was highly irritated. We have a "no hit" policy in our home. Meaning NO ONE uses physical violence. I don't spank the kids and neither does Husam. So I don't know where she gets this mean streak from!! It's been fairly recent. I'll admit, Sami can be a pretty annoying little brother.. But he still doesn't deserve kicks! (well... maybe at times he does. But I sitll can't tolerate that type of thing)

Sami is standing on the arm of the sofa and jumping into the cushions.. I hate when he does these types of things. But he is all boy, and there is no stopping him. *sighs* At least I know he's feeling better.

So that's it. I'm still waiting for the sickies to be-gone.

I would like to do a blog on that show "Teen Mom" and "16 and pregnant" on MTV.. It will probablyhave to wait until I and the kids are better though... I have a lot to say on the subject... Stay tuned!